Who to call in a crisis

If you have a crisis or emergency, there are services that you can call for immediate help.

Emergencies and crises

Emergencies may include major events, such as:

• a health crisis
• bushfire
• natural disaster
• gas leak
• other threats to people and property.

Emergencies may also include personal crises, such as:

• family violence
• sexual assault
• homelessness
• severe depression.

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)

In an emergency, call triple zero (000) on any phone that has reception, even if the phone is locked. This free service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers immediate assistance.

You are involved in an emergency if:

• Someone’s life or property is being threatened.
• Someone is seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help.
• You have just witnessed a serious accident or crime.

When calling triple zero (000) remember to:

• Say which service you need – ambulance, police or fire brigade.
• Stay calm. Do not shout. Speak slowly and clearly.
• Tell the operator exactly where to come. Give an address or location.
• Listen carefully to the operator, answer their questions and follow any instructions they give.
• Stay on the phone and do not hang up until the operator tells you to do so.

Being prepared and knowing who to call in an emergency can help save lives. Remember to stay focused, stay relevant and stay on the line.

Important: If there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the emergency call service via a mobile phone.

Please save triple zero (000) for emergencies.

Dial 106 if you have a hearing or speech impairment

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, dial 106 to use the text-based emergency services network on a teletypewriter (TTY). This service does not accept voice calls.

Let them know which service you need and where to come.

Dial 112 for international standard emergency number

Triple zero (000) is the Australian standard emergency number, while 112 is an international standard emergency number.

Dialling 112 directs you to the same triple zero (000) call service and does not give your call priority over triple zero (000).

Dialling 112 from a fixed line telephone in Australia (including pay phones) will not connect you to the emergency call service as it is only available from digital mobile phones.

Other crisis services

Immediate telephone assistance is available for all kinds of emergencies.

All of the services listed below can give you confidential help and support.

Emergencies and natural disasters

There are a variety of different phone lines to call depending on the type of emergency you or others are experiencing.

Bushfire

VicEmergency Hotline
Call 1800 226 226

Call the National Relay Service (if you are deaf or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone) on 1800 555 677 and if you don't speak English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

Trained operators are available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Opening times are extended during significant bushfires and recorded information on specific topics is available 24 hours a day.

Visit VicEmergency

Bushfire relief centres

Red Cross Information Line
Find a bushfire relief centre or locate affected family and friends.

Call 1800 727 077

Flood, storms, tsunami or earthquake

Victorian State Emergency Service (SES)
Call 13 25 00
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Victorian State Emergency Service

Workplace emergencies

Worksafe Victoria
Call 13 23 60
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Worksafe Victoria

Gas and electrical emergencies

Energy Safe Victoria
To report gas leaks or other gas emergencies, call the emergency number on your gas bill for assistance at any time.

To report fallen electrical power lines and power outages contact your electricity supply company.

Call (03) 9203 9700
Visit Energy Safe Victoria

Medical issues

Depending on the urgency of medical issues, there are a number of phone services you can contact.

Poisons

Victorian Poisons Information Centre
Contact if someone has been poisoned or has overdosed, made a mistake with medicines or been bitten or stung.

Call 13 11 26
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Victorian Poisons Information Centre

Immediate health advice

Nurse-on-Call
Health information helpline provided by registered nurses.

Call 1300 606 024
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Nurse-on-Call

Victorian Palliative Care Advice Service
For clinicians and the general public seeking specialist information and advice about living with or caring for someone with a life limiting illness.

Call 1800 360 000
7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week
Visit Victorian Palliative Care Advice Service

Maternal and Child Health Line

Family health line for child health, maternal and family health and parenting advice provided by maternal and child health nurses.

Call 13 22 29
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Better Health Channel

Personal and family crises

There are a range of services to support you if you are experiencing personal or family crises.

Suicide and self-harm prevention

Lifeline
Confidential phone counselling to discuss personal issues.

Call 13 11 14
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Lifeline

SuicideLine
Phone and online counselling for people considering suicide or self-harm.

Call 1300 651 251
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit SuicideLine

Mental health

Beyond Blue
Get immediate mental health support and advice.

Call 1300 224 636
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Beyond Blue

Support for women

Women's Information Referral Exchange (WIRE)
Support, referrals and information on all topics for women, non-binary and gender diverse people.

Call 1300 134 130
9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
Visit Women's Information Referral Exchange

Support for men

Men's Referral Service
Advice for men about family violence.

Call 1300 766 491
Visit Men's Referral Service

Family violence

Safe steps
Specialist support services for anyone experiencing or afraid of family violence.

Call 1800 015 188
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Safe steps

Sexual assault

CASA House, The Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria
Advice and support for victims/survivors of sexual assault.

Call (03) 9635 3610 or 1800 806 292
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Centre Against Sexual Assault

Homelessness and housing

St Kilda Crisis Contact Centre
Housing information and referral, and transitional housing services to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Call (03) 9536 7777 or 1800 627 727
Visit Salvation Army

Counselling services

Counselling services offer information, support and advice, as well as assisting you in times of crisis.

Personal issues

Switchboard Victoria – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) support
Phone counselling and information service for Victorian LGBTIQA+ communities and their supporters.

Call 1800 184 527
3 pm – 12 midnight, 7 days a week
Visit Switchboard

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
Counselling and support services for people affected by problem gambling.

Call 1800 858 858
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

Children and young adults (between 5 and 25 years old)

Kids Helpline
Phone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Call 1800 551 800
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Visit Kids Helpline

Grief and bereavement

Bereavement Information and Referral Service
Information for people experiencing grief and bereavement.

Call 1800 642 066
9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
Visit Grief Australia

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)

Need treatment today?

Need treatment today, but it’s not life-threatening and you can't get a GP appointment, there are services available:

• Urgent Care Clinics – provide care for conditions that require treatment today but not an emergency response (extended hours)
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)

Emergency care

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital